Stevens County Communications Center

Desk with multiple monitors

Stevens County Communications Center 

The Stevens County Communications Center (SCCC) is located in the law enforcement center at the Stevens County Courthouse and is under the direction of the Stevens County Sheriff. The SCCC is the Stevens County Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and handles all 911 calls originating in Stevens County. The SCCC is staffed 24/365 by five full-time and one part-time communications officers.

The SCCC also provides public safety dispatching service for four law enforcement agencies, four fire departments, the ambulance service, and three first responder groups. The communications officers also answer all administrative calls for the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office and the Morris Police Department.

The SCCC is also the center for physical security of the entire courthouse. The communications officers monitor both indoor and outdoor security cameras and electronically control all accesses to the building.

When Should I Call 911?

911 is for emergencies or situations that could become emergencies

  • Is there a threat to life or property?
  • Are you or someone else the victim of a crime?
  • Do you have a law enforcement emergency?
  • Do you or someone else have a medical emergency?
  • Do you need the fire department?

If the situation seems urgent and has the potential to become dangerous, call 911. Dispatchers will determine whether your call should be handled by 911 or can be transferred to another person or agency. All other calls should be directed to our non-emergency number, 320-208-6500.

What If I Call 911 Accidentally?

The Stevens County Communications Center frequently receives accidental or unintentional 911 calls. You may bump your cell phone and it will dial 911 (pocket dial). If you are trying to dial out and/or dial long distance, if the number is not dialed fast enough, 911 is dialed. Accidental dials happen and we would ask that you stay on the phone. Let us know it was an accident and how it happened. We may ask your name and location. If you hang up, our policy is to call you back. We need to know if everything is okay or if there is an actual emergency. If the phone is not answered when we call back, if the location is known, we will send law enforcement to assess the situation. If the location is unknown, we will contact the cell phone provider.

Why Do The Dispatchers Ask So Many Questions?

Emergency dispatchers need to get accurate information to allow law enforcement to make the best decision on how to approach the situation. Dispatchers handling law enforcement, fire, and ambulance calls must also consider the well-being of the public and the safety of the responding units. The information you provide a dispatcher is relayed to responding units while they are on their way to the call.

If I Call 911, What Will They Ask Me?


1. What Is The Location Of The Emergency?

This is the address where the emergency is actually happening. If you don’t know the address, tell the dispatcher and then:

  • Give the cross streets or a "hundred block"
  • Provide landmarks, business names, or parks near the emergency
  • Look at the house numbers in the area
  • If you are calling from inside a home or business, look at a piece of mail.

2. When Asked For A Location, We Need You To Be Specific

Also, if the suspect just left (such as a theft suspect), we need to know which way the suspect went and a description of how he looked. 

If You Are Asked To Describe A Suspect, Start With The Most Obvious Things.

  • What is the gender and race?
  • Does he/she have a gun or other weapon?

 Examples might be: 

  • "He/she was at least 6 feet tall"
  • "He/she was wearing a red jacket"
  • "He had a long beard"

If You Are Describing A Vehicle, Include:  

  • License Plate information, including the state
  • Color
  • Year ( if unknown, tell the dispatcher if it was a new or old vehicle)
  • Make (Was it a Honda? Ford? Dodge?)
  • Body Style (4-Door, Hatchback, Pick-up Truck)
  • Other things you may remember about it (Window Decals, Dents)

What Is The Phone Number You’re Calling From?

This is the number to the phone you are actually calling from. We need this in case we have to call you back.

What Is the Problem?

Tell us exactly what happened. Be as accurate as possible. Tell us what the problem is now, not what led up to the problem.  

  • "I see a fight on the corner of 7th and Columbia"
  • "I am fighting with my husband/wife"
  • "There is a 2 vehicle accident on Highway 28 and 440th Avenue"

We also need to know if you’re going to be at, or near the scene when units arrive because law enforcement may need to talk to you, or you may need to point out the exact location. We may ask you what kind of car you are in, or what color clothing you are wearing.

If I Call To Report A Fire, What Should I Tell The Dispatcher?

You should be prepared to answer questions like these:

  • Where is the fire?
  • What is on fire?
  • How large is the fire? (This is only an estimate)
  • Do you know if anyone is inside the house or building?
  • Do you know if anyone is hurt?
  • Are any structures threatened? Are there flames moving close to any homes or buildings?

If I Call To Report A Medical Emergency, What Should I Tell The Dispatcher?

  • Where is the medical emergency?
  • What is the chief complaint? (difficulty breathing, bleeding, chest pains, general illness, etc)
  • If the person is conscious (awake) and their breathing status
  • Age, if known.

The call-taker may ask you if you know how to do CPR. In some cases you may be given instructions on things you can do to help the person until responders arrive, including CPR.

What Agencies Does The Sheriff’s Office Dispatch For?

  • The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office
  • Morris Police Department
  • University of Minnesota Morris Police Department

Fire

  • Chokio Fire Department
  • Donnelly Fire Department
  • Hancock Fire Department
  • Morris Fire Department

Emergency Responders

  • Chokio First Responders
  • Donnelly First Responders
  • Hancock First Responders
  • Stevens County Ambulance

When I Call 911, Why Do I Get Asked To Hold On?

The same dispatchers who answer 911 calls also answer the non-emergency calls for service for all law enforcement agencies in Stevens County. When the communication center is busy, communications officers have to ask the non-emergency callers to hold on while they answer the 911 calls. Dispatchers may also ask you to hold while they relay your information on to responding units. Every effort is made to get back to you as quickly as possible, and your patience and understanding is appreciated.

Homes Without A Landline Telephone

More than 1 in 4 homes use only cell phones as their primary phone. Before you make the switch or if you already have, contact law enforcement to register your cell number for the 911 system. We will replace your cell number with your old landline number. This way your cell number is on file with your address in case of any type of emergency (law enforcement, ambulance, fire)